Carol Lemert Mills

Following Carol’s graduation from Birmingham Southern College, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity, she married John Lamar Mills on May 5, 1951, in Birmingham. She accompanied him on diplomatic assignments with the U.S. Foreign Service to El Salvador, Libya, Venezuela, Bolivia, Iran, and Panama. Upon her husband’s retirement to Alexandria, VA, she worked in retail in Old Town, Alexandria, for 22 years.

While living overseas, Mrs. Mills was active in many charity organizations, and she continued that interest upon her return to the U.S. as a long-time member of the Women’s Committee for the National Symphony and as an ordained deacon at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed playing bridge and was known as a gourmet cook and hostess. Other hobbies included reading, needlepoint, and decoupage. She and her husband continued to travel the world after his retirement, and they lived in or visited 60 countries during their 65 years of marriage.

Carol is survived by her husband, John, of Springfield; daughter, Dorothy (Mark) Harrell of Lincoln, NE; sons John Mills, Jr. of Tucson, AZ, and Robert (Theresa) Mills of Alexandria; brother, Robert (Anne) Lemert of Winston-Salem, NC; granddaughters Melanie (Tyler) Delaney, Allison (Daniel) Hatch, and Hannah (Zachary) Evans; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Owen, and Clayton Delaney and Josephine and Colin Hatch.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Greenspring Village Church, 7420 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made by check made out to "Benevolent Care Fund," mailed to Greenspring Philanthropy Office, 7410 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA 22150.

I Will Remember

I will remember 'til my dying day

The bliss we shared as you led the way

To enjoy a life that was sometimes fraught

With hardships and strife that we never sought.

Your love was constant and enduring

Your confidence always reassuring

I will remember your beautiful smile

Your infectious laughter amplified.

Only faith can foretell the path you will take

But your memory will linger whatever my fate

To inspire me and brighten my remaining days

And live on with others as they go their separate ways.

-John L. Mills